Gerwyn Price is set to take to the oche in Cardiff tonight, determined to restore Welsh sporting pride after the national rugby team's Six Nations humiliation.
The 'Iceman' will face Rob Cross in the BetMGM Premier League, hoping to give the home crowd something to cheer about following Wales' disappointing rugby performance against England.
Price, a former rugby player himself, understands the weight of expectation on his shoulders as he returns to Welsh soil.
Price comes into the Cardiff clash with remarkable momentum, having secured six consecutive victories against world champion Luke Littler.
Gerwyn Price is in hot form ahead of a homecoming night in the Premier League on Thursday
PA
The Welshman believes his mental approach may be giving him an edge over the young star.
"I don't worry about who I'm playing. He's just another number to me," Price said. "Maybe I might be in Luke's head a little bit."
No other player has managed to consistently overcome Littler's red-hot form in recent months.
Price watched Wales' rugby defeat while enjoying a family holiday in Benidorm.
"I was watching the rugby last Saturday but I was in sunny Benidorm for a couple of days with the family - so I was probably better off not watching," he admitted.
The 40-year-old, who once scored a try in the Welsh Challenge Cup final at the Millennium stadium, is keen to lift Welsh spirits after the rugby disappointment.
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"I want to go out and perform for a Welsh crowd and give them something they can cheer," he said.
Price will begin his Cardiff campaign against Rob Cross in the quarter-finals, a player he acknowledges is in fine form.
"I think Rob is probably playing some of the best stuff he's ever played," Price noted.
The Welshman has fond memories of performing in Cardiff, having won on his homecoming in 2023 with victories over Chris Dobey, Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall.
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Gerwyn Price has secured six consecutive victories against world champion Luke Littler
PA
He also reached the final in Cardiff last year, eventually losing to Michael Smith.
Price admits he feels additional pressure when performing in front of his home crowd.
"It is one of the smaller venues in the Premier League, which sets the atmosphere aside," he explained. "Cardiff is another level."
The pressure, however, comes primarily from within. "It's just pressure that I put on myself. I don't want to lose first round and not give something back to the crowd."
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Gerwyn Price has high hopes of success in Cardiff on Thursday night
PA
Price credits his improved form to a more positive mindset this season.
Currently sitting third in the Premier League table, Price is riding high after his recent night win in Nottingham.
He claimed victories over Stephen Bunting, Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler to secure five points and the £10,000 prize.
"My game is in a great place," Price reflected. "I think that's probably down to me being a little bit more positive, enjoying the traveling and enjoying the game in general a lot more."
